Tag Archives: arrested for DUI Atlanta

Case of the Month: When Parking the Car is the Best Option

Thursday, 21 November 2013 10:00

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Even efforts to make good decisions can go awry when you do not hire the right DUI lawyer. However, in November’s case of the month, because my client went the correct route in getting out of her DUI case, a good outcome was possible in a not-so-good situation.
My client had been drinking when she found herself in a situation where she needed to leave for her safety. After she started driving, she realized that she might have had too much to drink to drive safely. After pulling into a subdivision and parking on a side street, she turned off the car, took the keys out of the ignition, moved over to the passenger side, and drifted off to sleep. Almost 2 hours later, a resident called the police, who came to the scene to investigate. After waking my client up, the officer arrested her for DUI.
One of the key elements in prosecuting a DUI is that the State must prove that you were in control of a moving vehicle and were impaired to drive. It is possible to be convicted of DUI, EVEN if the officer does not see you driving. You can be convicted by “circumstantial” evidence. For instance, if you are in a parked car with the engine running, you admit that you had parked the car recently, or if you are involved in an accident and admit that you were driving.
The key elements to not being found guilty of DUI–even though you tried to do the right thing by parking your car–are as follows:

Turn the engine off, take the keys out of the ignition, and move to the back seat.

If approached by the police, do not answer any questions relating to when your driving ended, how much you had to drink, etc.

If you think you would register above the legal limit, DON’T take any state test.

In this particular case, I was able to find a compassionate prosecutor who agreed to dismiss the DUI charge. One would think that if a person was trying to do the right thing by getting off the road, the State would give you a break. However, this rarely happens in the DUI world. Therefore, you need to exercise your Constitutional rights and protect yourself as much as you can.
For more DUI arrest advice you can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Keep reading the MRGADUI blog for the latest traffic law news.

What happens if you’re under 21 and get a DUI?

Friday, 20 September 2013 11:18

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When you hear of someone receiving a driving under the influence (DUI) charge, you may automatically assume that the person is over the age of 21. While DUI may be commonly associated with individuals over the legal drinking age, it is important to note that if you are under 21 and unable to legally drink, you are not exempt from charges associated with DUI.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is the most frequently abused substance among today’s youth with over 4,700 annual deaths related to underage drunk driving. In Georgia, those over 21 found driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent is considered DUI and at a minimum can face fines, jail time, suspended license, community service and possible probation. For underage drinkers, the BAC is much lower with penalties that are different than for those over the legal drinking age. Anyone under the age of 21 driving with a registered BAC level of .02 percent can be cited for a DUI.
The penalties associated with an under 21 DUI depends on your BAC level. For those who register below .08 percent on the state’s breath test, a fine must be paid, your driver’s license is suspended for six months with no limited permit and you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service. If you register above .08 percent, a minimum jail sentence of 24 hours must be served, you will lose your license for a full year with no limited permit, must complete a 40 hour minimum of community service as well as pay a fine up to $1,000.
If you are suspected of DUI and are under the legal drinking age, it is important to remember the 4 simple rules for underage drivers: be polite, never admit to the number of drinks consumed, do not submit to field sobriety tests and refuse the required chemical test as one drink could put you over the legal limit. If you are arrested for under 21 DUI in Georgia, it is imperative that you hire an experienced DUI and traffic lawyer with a high success rate on contested cases to represent you.
With over 30 years of practice experience, attorney Mickey Roberts has success defending his DUI clients and is recognized by judges and peers as a leading DUI Defense lawyer in the State of Georgia. If you require legal representation for under 21 DUI or any other traffic offense, contact MRGADUI attorney today. Be sure to follow MrGaDUI on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more information on Georgia traffic laws.

Georgia to Lower the Legal Limit for Boating and Drinking

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 16:01

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As the warmer seasons arrive, popular spots like the lake and beach fill up with families, swimmers, and boaters. With recent stories of boating accidents occurring on the lake, Georgia state legislators have discussed the existing blood alcohol limits for boaters. Currently, Georgia’s blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for boat drivers is 0.10, up 0.02 from the standard in place for driving a motor vehicle under the influence. Governor Nathan Deal and other state legislators have been pushing to lower the limit to 0.08 to match the driving law stating, “If you are too drunk to drive an automobile, you are too drunk to drive a boat.” Of course .08 is just a legal limit imposed; no studies show that a person is “drunk” at that level.
Gwinnett traffic and DUI attorney Mickey Roberts has represented clients for traffic and DUI offenses on the road and on the water. Even though 0.02 is not a drastic change, it should remind boaters to think again. Boat accidents are just as dangerous as car accidents, and Mickey encourages boaters to understand the laws of operating a boat on a lake or river in Georgia. While we are all familiar with the fines and penalties related to a DUI conviction, a BUI (boating under the influence) conviction has the same consequences whether you are operating a small boat or a yacht.
If you are suspected of boating while intoxicated, you will be pulled over by police that patrol Georgia’s lakes and rivers. The protocol remains the same as if you were suspected of driving a car under the influence with being asked to perform field sobriety tests and/or submit to a breathalyzer test. Consequences for a BUI conviction will still include fees and possible jail time, and the ability to operate a boat is suspended. As Mickey often reminds his clients, it is important to remember the 4 simple rules when stopped by police to avoid incriminating yourself and to understand your rights as a driver.
The state House of Representatives has passed Governor Deal’s proposal, however, it is still under review from the Senate. Be sure to stay up-to-date with our blog for more traffic law news. To inquire about legal representation for DUI or other traffic offenses, contact Mr. GaDUI today. Also, connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

State Representative Arrested for DUI in Atlanta

Thursday, 26 January 2012 10:14

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State representative John Andrew (Kip) Smith was arrested for DUI in Atlanta last Friday. Officer Z.A. Kramer pulled over the lawmaker after he ran a red light at the intersection of Peachtree and Pharr Road in Buckhead. According to the AJC, the police record indicated that Smith admitted to having one beer 45 minutes before he was pulled over after the officer allegedly noticed the scent of alcohol and Kip’s watery eyes.
Rep. Smith initially refused the field sobriety test (walk-and-turn or one-leg-stand test) and breath test when the officer requested and instead asked to be taken to a hospital for a state chemical blood or breath test, but then consented when the officer told him that they only did that if he were arrested for DUI. According to reports, Smith then blew a .091 (over the legal limit of .08) on the officer’s breathalyzer test and was placed under arrest for DUI.
Two additional officers then arrived on the scene where Smith completed two more breath tests rendering results of .099 and .100 respectively. Kip Smith has been charged with three offenses: two DUI charges and one charge for failure to obey a traffic control device.
The intention of this post is not to exploit the wrongdoings of a public figure, but to reiterate the importance of knowing your Georgia driver rights. Smith initially followed my suggestions of “what to do if stopped for DUI” by refusing the field sobriety test and requesting a state chemical test; however, he did himself a disservice by eventually consenting.
As you can read, the results of different breathalyzer test equipment can vary significantly depending on the age of the machinery and even the experience of the officer administering the test. While the other details of this case will certainly surface as Smith goes to trial, the event serves as an ideal opportunity to reiterate what you should do if you’re pulled over for DUI regardless if this is your first DUI or third DUI in Georgia:
1.) Take your DUI seriously2.) Hire an experienced DUI attorney3.) Don’t delay your DUI hearing4.) Don’t rely on advice of friends5.) Don’t base the hiring of an attorney on money alone
Of these tips, the most important is hiring an experienced DUI attorney to handle your case if you find yourself in this situation. Visit my website to learn more about my experience as an Atlanta DUI, Georgia vehicular homicide, and commercial driving offense attorney. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Twitter for more tips on defending your driver’s rights.

Rates of Female DUI Increase throughout the Last Decade

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 12:47

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A recent study published by The Century Council and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation shows that the number of females arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol has increased 36% over a decade. The report, which will be available in full later this month, states that while men are often seen as the primary offenders in drunk driving cases, the number of women involved has increased steadily since 1980 and was up 29% from 1997 to 2007.
Researchers examining the phenomenon offer various explanations for this spike in female DUI statistics. One theory is that more women are drinking and then driving than in past years. Some researchers believe that the spike in women’s arrests is due to changes in the legal system including fewer male arrests and changes to the DUI law enforcement policy that bring more attention to women whose blood alcohol content levels are more affected by alcohol consumption.
The study indicated,

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Disclaimer

The above information is intended to help educate members of the Georgia motoring public as to their rights under the law and to assist presumptively innocent citizens in properly asserting those rights. Information within this site should not be misconstrued as legal advice.